AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Transcription

1 Section/division Accident and Incident Investigations Division Form Number: CA 12-12a AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Aircraft Registration ZU-FIF Date of Accident 04 March 2017 Reference: CA18/2/3/9602 Time of Accident Type of Aircraft Cheetah XLS Type of Operation Private (Part 94) 0553Z Pilot-in-command Licence Type NPL Age 56 Licence Valid Yes Pilot-in-command Flying Experience Last point of departure Total Flying Hours Kliprivier Aerodrome, Gauteng Province Next point of intended landing Kliprivier Aerodrome, Gauteng Province Hours on Type 53 Location of the accident site with reference to easily defined geographical points (GPS readings if possible) Suikerbos Nature Reserve 11nm west of Heidelberg (GPS coordinates S E ) elevation 5626ft Meteorological Wind; light and variable, Temperature 14 C, visibility 7km, No clouds Information Number of people on 1+0 No. of people injured 0 No. of people killed 1 board Synopsis The pilot made a call to his spouse on the morning of 04 March 2017 at 0530Z and indicated that he would be getting airborne soon from Kliprivier Airfield. His friend said they normally flew to the Vaal Dam and Heidelberg area for scenic flights. He took off at approximately 0543Z, and used runway 02 at Kliprivier Airfield. The aircraft was maintaining low level flight and did not climb to 6500 feet (circuit height) and maintained the crosswind heading, easterly direction, before turning south to the Vaal Dam area. A witness, who resides east of Kliprivier airfield, stated that he heard an aircraft approaching and later a loud bang. Upon inspection, he saw black smoke rising from a distance and then called the authorities to report an accident. The pilot was fatally injured and the aircraft was destroyed. It is likely that during a low level flight the pilot was forced to turn right in an attempt to avoid collision with high-tension power cables. While making a right turn, the aircraft impacted the rising terrain near the power cables. Probable Cause It is likely that during a low level flight the pilot was forced to turn the aircraft to the right in an attempt to avoid collision with high-tension power cables. While making the right turn, the aircraft crashed into the rising terrain. SRP Date 10 October 2017 Release Date 14 February 2018 CA 12-12a 01 FEBRUARY 2017 Page 1 of 1

2 Section/division Accident and Incident Investigation Division Form Number: CA 12-12a AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT Name of Owner / Operator : T Esterhuizen Manufacturer Model Nationality Registration Marks Place : Rainbow Aircraft (Pty) Ltd : Cheetah XLS : South African : ZU-FIF : Heidelberg, Gauteng Province Date : 04 March 2017 Time : 0553Z All times given in this report are Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC) and will be denoted by (Z). South African Standard Time is UTC plus 2 hours. Purpose of the Investigation: In terms of Regulation of the Civil Aviation Regulations (2011) this report was compiled in the interest of the promotion of aviation safety and the reduction of the risk of aviation accidents or incidents and not to establish blame or liability. Disclaimer: This report is produced without prejudice to the rights of the CAA, which are reserved. 1. FACTUAL INFORMATION 1.1 History of Flight The pilot s friend, who also flew the aircraft, indicated that on the morning of 04 March 2017 the pilot made a call to his wife at 0530Z telling her that he would be getting airborne shortly from Kliprivier Airfield as shown in figure 1. The pilot intended to go on a scenic flight around the Vaal Dam and Heidelberg area before returning. According to the copies of the flight log, no fuel was added after 14 January CA 12-12a 01 FEBRUARY 2017 Page 2 of 2

3 Figure 1: Accident site is 3.3nm east of Kliprivier airfield, elevation 4996 feet The aircraft departed from Runway 02 at approximately 0543Z and turned right for the crosswind leg but did not climb to circuit height of 6500 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). One of the farmers near the accident site on figure 1 above said he heard the sound of an aircraft approaching and few seconds later a loud bang. He also indicated that the weather was clear with no clouds in sight. Upon investigating he saw black smoke rising from a point higher up in the distance. He then reported the accident to emergency services The aircraft crashed at 0553Z. The time was confirmed by the pilot s spouse who said her IPhone mspy application indicated that the pilot s phone went off at that exact time. The accident happened on a private farm near the Suikerbos Nature Reserve area at GPS S E and an elevation of 5626ft. CA 12-12a 01 FEBRUARY 2017 Page 3 of 3

4 . Figure 2: The high tension power cables near the accident site. 1.2 Injuries to Persons Injuries Pilot Crew Pass. Other Fatal Serious Minor None Damage to Aircraft The aircraft was destroyed. CA 12-12a 01 FEBRUARY 2017 Page 4 of 4

5 Figure 3: Post impact fire burnt all of the fabric leaving airframe tubing. 1.4 Other Damage None 1.5 Personnel Information Nationality South African Gender Male Age 56 Licence Number Licence Type NPL Licence valid 09/08/2017 Type Endorsed Yes Ratings None Medical Expiry Date 31/07/2018 Restrictions Suitable corrective lenses Previous Accidents None Flying Experience: Total Hours Total Past 90 Days 2.7 Total on Type Past 90 Days 2.7 Total on Type 53 CA 12-12a 01 FEBRUARY 2017 Page 5 of 5

6 1.5.1 The pilot log book was not completed; it was last updated during a recurrence check-out on 13 September His total hours were extracted from the aircraft flight folio and added to the logbook summary. 1.6 Aircraft Information Figure 4: Aircraft before the accident. Airframe: Type Cheetah XLS Serial Number CH 097 Manufacturer Rainbow Aircraft (Pty) Ltd Date of Manufacture 2008 Total Airframe Hours (At time of Accident) Last Annual (Date & Hours) 16/04/ Hours since Last Annual 24.6 A to F (Expiry Date) 15/04/2017 C of R (Issue Date) (Present owner) 21/05/2010 Operating Categories Part 96 CA 12-12a 01 FEBRUARY 2017 Page 6 of 6

7 Engine: Type Rotax 912S Serial Number Hours since New Hours since Overhaul TBO not reached Propeller: Type Kiev Serial Number Hours since New Hours since Overhaul TBO not reached The aircraft was fitted with a BRS rocket parachute which can be deployed during an emergency, but it was not used on this flight (see 1.11: Wreckage and impact information) According to the flight folio the aircraft was last flown and refuelled with 25 litres on 14 January On that day the deceased flew for 48 minutes. At a fuel consumption of 15l/h, he used 12 litres and only had 13 litres left. There was no indication that he refuelled the aircraft before the accident flight on 04 March Meteorological Information Wind direction Light Wind speed variable Visibility 7km Temperature 14 C Cloud cover Nil Cloud base 0 Dew point 12 C The weather data was obtained from a South African Weather Service (SAWS) report. 1.8 Aids to Navigation The aircraft was equipped with standard navigation equipment. There were no reported defects with the navigation equipment prior to the accident. CA 12-12a 01 FEBRUARY 2017 Page 7 of 7

8 1.9 Communications The aircraft was equipped with standard communication systems and none was reported unserviceable prior to the accident 1.10 Aerodrome Information The accident did not happen at an aerodrome, but on a private farm near Suikerbos Nature Reserve area near Heidelberg (GPS S E , elevation 5626ft Flight Recorders The aircraft was not required by regulations to have flight recorders fitted Wreckage and Impact Information Figure 5: Parachute canopy extended but not inflated. Figure 6: Activation handle in its holder Figure 7: activation handle not pulled CA 12-12a 01 FEBRUARY 2017 Page 8 of 8

9 The aircraft took off from runway 02 and was on its way to the Vaal Dam area. A witness, who resides on the farm east of Kliprivier Airfield, said he heard an aircraft and few seconds later a loud bang. The point of impact informs the investigators that the aircraft was flying in an easterly direction on an extended crosswind leg. The aircraft encountered two rows of high-tension power cables (height 45m or 144ft) which run north to south and tried to evade them by turning right. During a right turn the aircraft impacted the rising terrain near the power cables The aircraft nosed over and broke most of the tubular frame. The engine broke off from the aircraft and post-impact fire engulfed the aircraft. The aircraft was fitted with a BRS parachute system, but it was never used. The activating handle was still in its holder. The parachute in figure 5 was extended as a result of the rocket firing during impact sequence. All the debris was found in a radius of 10 metres Medical and Pathological Information The post-mortem and blood toxicology reports were still outstanding at the time of compiling this report. Should any of the results have a bearing on the circumstances leading to this accident, they will be treated as new evidence that will necessitate reopening this investigation Fire The aircraft was destroyed by impact and post impact fire Survival Aspects The accident was considered not survivable due to the high impact forces and post impact fire that destroyed the aircraft Tests and Research None 1.17 Organisational and Management Information The maintenance records indicated that the aircraft was equipped and maintained in accordance with existing regulations and approved procedures. CA 12-12a 01 FEBRUARY 2017 Page 9 of 9

10 The last annual inspection was certified on 16 April 2016 by Approved Person 037 at airframe hours and the aircraft had flown a further 24.6 hours thereafter Additional Information None 1.19 Useful or Effective Investigation Techniques None 2. ANALYSIS 2.1 The pilot was the holder of a national pilot s licence and his medical certificate was up to date. The weather was fine on the day and there were no clouds. 2.2 After making a call to his spouse, the aircraft took off at approximately 0545Z. After getting airborne from runway 02 the aircraft s flight path extended beyond the downwind leg. The witness stated that he heard an aircraft approaching and later a loud bang. The aircraft was flying low at an approximate of height of the power lines. 2.3 It is likely that the pilot turned the aircraft to the right in an effort to avoid colliding with the high tension power cables. While making the right turn, the aircraft impacted the rising terrain near the power cables. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and post impact fire 2.4 The deployment of the BRS rocket parachute had no effect on the accident as it deployed during impact. 2.5 The pilot did not deploy the BRS system as evidenced by the activation handle as it was found still in its holder. 3. CONCLUSION 3.1 Findings The pilot was licensed and qualified for the flight in accordance with existing regulations. CA 12-12a 01 FEBRUARY 2017 Page 10 of 10

11 3.1.2 The aircraft was certified, equipped and maintained in accordance with existing regulations The aircraft was airworthy when it was dispatched for the flight The weather did not contribute to this accident The aircraft was not flown for 49 days and there was no record of refuelling on the day of the flight The aircraft was destroyed by impact and post-impact fire The BRS parachute activating handle was never activated by the pilot The parachute deployed as a result of impact It is likely that during a low level flight the pilot was forced to turn the aircraft to the right in an attempt to avoid collision with high-tension power cables and crashed into the rising terrain Probable Cause/s It is likely that during a low level flight the pilot was forced to turn the aircraft to the right in an attempt to avoid collision with high-tension power cables. While making the right turn, the aircraft crashed into the rising terrain. 3.3 Contributing Factor/s None 4. SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS 4.1 None 5. APPENDICES 5.1 None CA 12-12a 01 FEBRUARY 2017 Page 11 of 11